Paul Smith to fight for outright Lonsdale belt

Smith to take on Luke Blackledge

Paul Smith will win the British super-middleweight title outright if he overcomes next opponent Luke Blackledge.

The British Boxing Board of Control today confirmed that Smith will make a voluntary defence of the Lonsdale Belt against the Accrington-born 23-year-old.

A date and venue for the fight is yet to be finalised but Liverpool's Olympia, in November, is a distinct possibility.

Stephen Smith's first defence of his British super-featherweight title could also appear as part of that card after the BBBofC confirmed he will face Dewsbury's Gary Sykes.

And also in the latest round of announcements from the boxing authority, Callum Smith has had his shot at the vacant English super-middleweight title confirmed. Rocky Fielding has vacated the English title.

Smith will tackle Patrick Mendy on September 21 at Liverpool's Olympia, the same night brother Liam fights for the vacant British light-middleweight crown.

The next defence of David Price's British heavyweight title will be discussed at the next BBBofC meeting.

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Alastair Machray

Alastair Machray was appointed editor of The Liverpool Echo in 2005 and is also editor-in-chief of Trinity Mirror Merseyside, Cheshire and North Wales. He is a former editor of The Daily Post (Wales and England) and editor-in-chief of the company's Welsh operations. Married dad-of-two and keen golfer Alastair is one of the longest-serving newspaper editors in the country. His titles have won numerous awards and spearheaded numerous successful campaigns.